SUPER-middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez says losing to John Ryder will spell the end of his career.
The Mexican superstar defends his championship against the British underdog in front of 50,000 adoring fans inside the Estadio Akron. The homecoming fight is expected by nearly everyone to be a straightforward victory for the 32-year-old.
Winning in tonight’s showpiece could take Canelo on to a rematch with light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol in September. Defeat to Ryder is unthinkable for the odds-on favourite and the Mexican people.
“If John Ryder beats me, I’m done,” he told The DAZN Boxing Show.
Canelo was responding to Chris Mannix’ comments on Ryder being overlooked by so many which is something the local hero is not paying attention to.
“I’ve trained for the best fighter out there. I don’t want to be so confident because they say the same thing with Dmitry Bivol and look [what happened]. He’s a good fighter. I trained 100 per cent for the best fighter out there.”
Sixty-two fights in 18 years eventually takes its toll and for the last few years Canelo has been reportedly fighting with an injury. Surgery to his left-hand last year now has Alvarez believing he is back to his best.
“I’m motivated because now I’m able to train 100 per cent and that’s made me feel confident and motivate myself,” he said.
Asked if he believed it had affected recent performances, against Gennadiy Golovkin and Dmitry Bivol, he answered:
“I think it affected everything because its boxing. But I have the skills to handle with one hand, right? At the end of the day this past year I’ve been unable to train 100 per cent which has made me not 100 per cent going into the fight.”
A few questions have been asked of Canelo during this fight week. Whether he is past his best and whether he is still the top dog in the sport. All of which seem to stem from the loss to Bivol 12 months ago.
“I’m the best fighter out there,” he declared. “I lose with one of the best fighters at 175. I tried to do history, to do everything different to other fighters. Go up and down in weight classes. It’s not easy but I like [a] challenge and I’m feeling my best and you’re gonna see.”
